Chapter 7
After finding out about my parents‘ deaths, I left the city for good.
I thought I had hidden myself well enough, but Ronan still managed to track me down.
It was below freezing that day.
He stood at my door, shivering in a thin coat, his hair a mess from the biting wind.
A shadow of stubble darkened his jaw, making him look worn and desperate.
“he said, his voice hoarse.
“I know you don’t want to see me, but I can’t live without you.”
He took a shaky breath
“Every night without you, I drink myself into oblivion just to fall asleep. And when I do… all I see in my dreams is you.”
I blinked but didn’t say a word.
I stepped past him, heading back into the house, but he grabbed me, pulling me into his arms.
The stench of alcohol hit me like a wave
“Let me go,” I muttered, trying to break free.
Before I could, Arden stormed in out of nowhere.
She tore my arms from his and slapped me across the face
“What are you doing, seducing my husband?” she hissed, her eyes blazing with anger.
“Didn’t you want a divorce? Then stay away from him
I froze.
nfvorce?
The papers were being finalized, but I hadn’t told Ronan yet.
How did she know?
Ronan, snapping out of his drunken hare, grabbed her arm.
“Arden, stop it. I told you not to come here and make a scene. There’s nothing between us. There never was.”
“I can love Lily like my own daughter,” he said firmly. “But I’ll never marry you. The only person I’ve ever loved is Eve!”
Arden let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms.
“Really, Konan? Is that what you’re telling her now? Because half a year ago, you told me we’d be together forever.”
She took a step closer, her voice dripping with venom.
“Or did you forget that night when you drugged her to come find me?“
Her words hit like a slap.
My heart sank as the pieces started to fall into place.
That night… it had to be the same night my parents died.
14.20
Butchered by Love
Chapter 7
Trushed side, frantically scrolling through my phone and putting up the home security footage
That night. I’d been insectoss, completely unaware that my sister was calling me
I had mixed my parents final roments becames of him
1 stormed back out my voice shaking with tags
“Ronan, why? Why would you do this to me? Do you even realize what you’re done? I didn’t answer my sister’s call that night because of you! I didn’t get to say goodbye to my parente
We loved each other for six years. Wat any of it real?
Tahan looked stunned, his hands trembling
“I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t know. Eve. Fin so sorry. Please forgive me. I was wrong. I’ll do anything to fix thi
His words felt hollow
I closed my eyes, turned away, and shut the door in his face.
Shiding down against the door, I collapsed onto the floor.
Outside, I could still hear Arden yelling at Ronan, their voices echoing through the cold night.
But I felt nothing.
Just emptiness.
My hands shook as I stared at the family photo on my phone–the last one we ever took together. Tears blurred my vision as I whispered. “Mom, Dad I was wrong. I should never have trusted him.”
“Can you forgive me?”
